Two militants killed in special operation in Chechnya

The regional department of the Federal Security Service has carried out a special operation in Argun (a city 20 km east of the Chechen capital Grozny) during which two militants who put up resistance to the officers were killed.

RIA Novosti was told by the Chechen Interior Ministry on Monday that at about 15.00 (local time) yesterday, members of an illegal armed formation, Tepsurkayev and native of Ingushetia (a neighbouring republic), Mukushev, opened fire with automatic weapons at a group of Interior Ministry and FSB officers and local servicemen. The incident occurred at 16, Vishnyova Street.

The militants were killed during the ensuing firefight. Officers took three Kalashnikov assault rifles, three pistols, two TNT sticks and two detonators from the scene. None of the officers or serviceman was wounded.

An investigation into the incident has begun, the Interior Ministry said.